Sunday, December 31, 2006

Getting To Know Your Bulldog



Article Title: Getting To Know Your Bulldog
Author: Dan Stevens

Getting to know your dog starts by getting to know its breed,
and that includes getting a better idea about its appearance,
personality, and health requirements. Here's what you need to
know about the Bulldog:

Originating in England, the Bulldog has an unmistakable face.
Although the Bulldog is often called other things to include
the British Bulldog or English Bulldog, they are all the same
breed. This particular breed can be dated back to around the
early 16th century. By the 17th century, this breed was used
as bull bait, a barbaric form of death through suffocation for
the bull. Because of its brutality, this use of the Bulldog
was outlawed in 1835. The result of this ban was a large
reduction in the number of Bulldogs people owned.

Today, the Bulldog is a great family pet, gentle, yet very
protective. If you want a dog that is easy to care for, one
great with kids, and one with an excellent personality, the
Bulldog should be a consideration. With a frowning face and
powerful looking body, this particular breed is often
overlooked, which is a real shame because it makes an excellent
family pet.

Physical Appearance

Even though the Bulldog is more on the small side, it is very
stocky with a powerful and proud stance. For instance, an
adult dog could weigh between 40 and 50 pounds with a height
between 12 and 14 inches. Because the body is short and
compact, it waddles when it walks. The muzzle is extremely
short with saggy skin on the face. All Bulldogs have a short,
smooth coat but colors vary.

Temperament and Personality

Unfortunately, the Bulldog has been wrongly labeled over the
years as being a ferocious beast but in truth, this breed is
amazing gentle with adults and children. In most cases, the
Bulldog gets along well with other animals but early
socialization is recommended. Sometimes, you may see a little
bit of stubbornness and protectiveness out of your dog but at
heart, the Bulldog love to play and is rather friendly.

Health

Due to the flat face and short muzzle, the Bulldog is prone to
breathing problems, particularly during hot weather. Some dogs
have trouble with the palate, which can collapse, cutting off a
good air supply. The good news is that if your dog should
experience this problem, it can be fixed with minor surgery.
While a collapsed palate is not a physical emergency, if not
corrected, you would notice loud breathing and snoring.

Another important factor associated with owning a Bulldog is
that because of the body structure, it cannot swim well.
Therefore, if you have a swimming pool or live near a pond or
lake, you want to take extreme care. Keep in mind that this
breed has a large head in proportion to the body. For this
reason, giving birth is difficult, which is usually why puppies
will be delivered via Cesarean section. Finally, Bulldogs can
also experience cataracts, cherry eye, allergies, and problems
with the joints, specifically the hips.

About The Author: Daniel Stevens is the renowned dog trainer
and author of SitStayFetch, a leading dog training guide having
sold over 21,000 copies. See
http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/dogbreeds/bulldog.php
for more on dog breeds.

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